Comparative evaluation of the clinical effects of high Air-Through soft diaper and standard diaper in Indian babies with diaper rash

Abstract

The incidence of diaper dermatitis (rash) in India is reported to be in the range of four to thirty-five per cent in children up to 2 years of age. To evaluate the clinical effect of using High Air-Through Soft Diaper and babies’ favourite diaper (Standard diaper) on Indian babies’ skin. This was a single-blinded, randomized, controlled, cross-over study. Eligible babies were randomized in two treatment groups. Babies in Group A used High Air-Through Soft Diaper for the first two weeks and then used standard diaper for the next 2 weeks. Babies in Group B used a standard diaper for the first two weeks and then used a High Air-Through Soft Diaper for the next 2 weeks. The study was completed with 105 babies. Theevaluation of the skin using the scoring system and photographs for representative purposes. At baseline, the mean total diaper rash scores were comparable in both Group A and Group B viz. 3.04 ± 1.00 and 3.30 ± 1.04 respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.195). After 2 weeks, the mean total diaper rash score increased significantly from the baseline in both Group A and Group B (5.05 ± 1.97; p = 0.001 and 6.16 ± 2.22, p = 0.001 respectively); the rise in the mean total diaper rash score was significantly more in Group B than that in Group A (p = 0.045). After 4 weeks, a significant increase in the mean total diaper rash score (1.31 ± 2.69; p =0.001) was observed from what it was at 2 weeks in the Group A and there was an insignificant decrease in the mean total diaper rash score (-0.52 ± 2.54; p =0.153) in Group B from what it was at 2 weeks; the change in the mean total diaper rash score was significantly more in Group A than that in Group B (P = 0.001). Both High Air-Through Soft Diaper and standard diaper in babies caused a significant increase in mean total diaper rash score. However, the extent and the degree of rash induced with the use of High Air-Through Soft Diaper was significantly less than that during the usage of the standard diaper. Thus, High Air-Through Soft Diaper due to technologies used in it appears to be superior to the standard diaper in reducing the mean total diaper rash score.